THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Dominic Schlueter

The Running Effect tells the best stories in running—and turns them into insight, inspiration, and tools to help competitive runners become greater.
Every week, host Dominic Schlueter sits down with the fastest, smartest, and most inspiring people in the sport—from Olympic medalists to breakthrough athletes—to unpack the stories, lessons, and mindset behind elite performance. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or looking to understand how greatness is built, The Running Effect will make you a deeper fan of the sport—and a better runner.

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744 episodes
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Episodes744

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Mar 3, 2025 · 50 min
Professional Runner & Former Olympic Alternate Jess McClain Shares Wisdom & Lessons From Her Career, How To Handle Imposter Syndrome, Why Success Stems From Joy, & Other Lessons On Sustainability
Middle-distance star, marathoner, and Brooks runner Jess McClain joins the show for the first time today, with her sights set on an Olympic qualifying time on the track. In February of 2024, Jess came in fourth place at the Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando with a time of 2:25.46; this was just her third marathon ever. Jess coached herself leading up to the 2024 Olympic Trials, while working full-time in marketing and training without a sponsor. Jess had previously worked with her high school coach, Jeff Messer, after graduating from Stanford, but took a hiatus from competitive running in 2020 when the pandemic hit. Impressively, Jess negotiated her own deal with Brooks after the Olympic Trials, showing savvy both on the track and roads but also in the negotiating room. In high school at Xavier College Prep in Arizona, Jess was a 14-time state champion; four-time Foot Locker finalist; and Gatorade Runner of the Year in track and cross country. Collegiately she ran for Stanford, where was a 7-time All-American, 2-time PAC 12 Champion in the 10,000m; and had an NCAA-leading time in the 5,000m in 2015. Professionally, Jess has held the title of Executive Director of the Johnjay & Rich #LoveUp Foundation, and has worked as a marketing consultant. In today's conversation, Jess goes into her mindset, her 2025 racing schedule, her new coach, and how she's structuring training, what she's learned through the process of returning to running, lessons from the last year, and so much more. Jess always brings so much wisdom to our conversations, and I hope you'll take the time to learn from her successful career. Tap into the Jess McClain Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word "PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT'S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Mar 1, 2025 · 31 min
Chasing History: Owen Powell Recaps Running 3:57 & 3:56 In The Mile In The SAME Week & Setting A National Record + His Thoughts On Breaking Alan Webb's HS Record
New high school mile record-holder and future Washington Husky, Owen Powell, joins the show just days after crushing his second sub-4-minute mile in February, etching his name in history books.First, Owen ran a sizzling 3:57.74 on February 14 against collegiate runners at the Husky Classic in Washington. Then, to add to his incredible start to 2025, he blew the doors off the national high school indoor mile record (held by Hobbs Kessler) with a time of 3:56.66 at BU's Terrier DMR Challenge on February 21. The signs have been pointing toward this type of performance for a while; last season Owen was named 2023-24 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Washington, running a 1:48.60 in the 800m to gain national attention. Owen also won the Washington 3A State Championship in the 1,600m in 2023, and state championships in cross country and the 800m in 2024. In addition to his mile and 800m PRs, he has also run 2:24.41 in the 1,000m, 3:44.70 in the 1500m, and 8:04.83 in the 3,000m.Heading into his senior year he had an impressive 3.68 GPA in the classroom. Outside of school, Owen is an avid mountain biker and rock climber, while also volunteering locally as a youth track coach.In today's conversation, Owen takes me through his remarkable week of performances, his mindset leading into this outdoor season, and his thoughts on Webb's record, what his training looks like, and so much more. Tap into the Owen Powell Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word "PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W N O T E S-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT'S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 27, 2025 · 41 min
From Almost Quitting The Sport To World Bronze Medalist, Olympian, & 3rd Fastest 1500m US Runner Of All Time: The Inspiring Story Of Emily Mackay
Olympic middle-distance star Emily Mackay joins us today, fresh off a blazing new 3,000m personal best set in February in Boston. Emily, who currently runs for Team New Balance Boston, is coming off a tremendous 2024 season where she represented Team USA in the Paris Olympics. She qualified for the 1,500m after coming in second during the trials with a time of 3:55–which puts her third all-time for American women in the distance. Prior to the Olympics, Emily was a bronze medalist in the 1,500m at the 2024 World Indoor Championships; she also took home bronze in the 1,500m at the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. Emily graduated from Binghamton University as a five-time NCAA Division 1 All-American. She was a multi-discipline specialist, showing strength and versatility by placing a school-best 14th overall at the 2020 NCAA XC Championships, in addition to coming in seventh overall at the 5k in the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track Championships. She received her undergraduate in Psychology and went on to acquire her MBA in 2022. Emily is a very balanced and impressive person on many levels. Her current 800m PR is 1:57 and her PR in the 3,000m is 8:35 (which she ran at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix). In today’s conversation, Emily takes me through her recent success in sport, the journey to get to that point, how she has progressed over the years, her Olympic experience, her dreams for the future, training with the best in the US, and many other subjects relating to running, life, and well, coffee. Tap into the Emily Mackay Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 25, 2025 · 34 min
500.
We have officially released 500 Episodes of The Running Effect Podcast. This one honestly means a lot. Because I had direct control over that number. At the end of the day, I can't control how many people listen, where I sit on the charts, etc, but I can control my work and my effort. 500 is the result of a dream and journey I started almost five years ago and a consistent effort to create something meaningful. At the end of the day it's just a number, but I know Dominic from four years ago would be really proud. 90% of podcasts quit after just twenty episodes. I knew that wouldn't be me. We live in a society today where everyone wants the quick fix, the easy route to success, the instant gratification. But the quickest fix is the longest path. It's never been so easy to win in all of history before. You literally have a million-dollar idea in your head. You're just scared to act, scared of what other people will think of you. The Dominic who is writing this today is in large part a reflection of these 500 conversations. They've molded me into the person I am today, and for that, I'll be forever grateful. If you're a former guest reading this, thank you for the impact you've had on me and for gifting me with your time and wisdom. I appreciate you more than you know. If you're a listener, thank you for spending some time with me. I hope I provided you value and inspiration. I'm excited at the opportunity to learn and grow further in these next 500. I promise to pour my soul into them and produce the best possible conversations for you all. I love you guys. Thanks for changing my life through this platform. Truly so many wonderful memories. I wouldn't change a thing. The journey is beautiful: all of it. I mean, the world's in denial, but they all know what I'm headed for. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 24, 2025 · 23 min
Cooper Lutkenhaus Shares Insights From His 1:46 800m Run As Only A SOPHMORE In High School + His Ambitions For The Future, If He'll Go Pro Out Of HS, & A Look At His Record-Breaking Training
Fresh off a national record and his electrifying 800m performance at the Millrose Games, Cooper Lutkenhaus returns to the podcast today. Cooper, a Texas native and only 16 years old, is already being lauded for his ferocious and insanely strong kick during racing. Recently, he set a new indoor high school national record in the 800m, flying to a 1:46.86. Prior to showing up to the Millrose Games, Cooper ran against collegiate runners at the Texas Tech Invite, where he set a high school U.S. sophomore record with a time of 1:50.15. During his breakout freshman year, Cooper won three national meets and a Texas Class 5A state title in the 800m, while also finishing 47th in the Class 5A cross country state meet with a time of 16:23.4 in the 5k. Cooper comes from a family of supremely-talented athletes: his father George was a state runner-up in the 1600m in 1995; and his brother Andrew ran a 1:50.04 in the 800m in high school. Cooper has shown impressive range as an athlete as far back as middle school, competing in football, wrestling, and basketball–in addition to track and XC. Cooper’s personal bests in his short career so far include outdoor times of 22.12 in the 200m; 47.33 in the 400m; 4:14.17 in the 1600m; and the aforementioned 800m indoor record of 1:46.86. In today’s conversation, Cooper takes me through his record-breaking Millrose 800m, what led into this race, his ambitions for the rest of the season, his thoughts on when he’ll go Pro, what athletes he looks up to, in-depth insights on his training, and so much more. Tap into the Cooper Lutkenhaus Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 22, 2025 · 41 min
"If You Have Time To Make Fancy Meals, You're Not Training Hard Enough": The Rules Of How To Be Excellent As A Distance Runner From 2xOlympic Medalist Morgan Pearson
Professional triathlete, two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, and recent HOKA signee, Morgan Pearson, joins the show today to discuss all things training and running. Morgan was raised in New Vernon, New Jersey, and grew up as a competitive swimmer, ocean lifeguard and runner. Morgan went on to compete in cross country and track and field while at the University of Colorado, where he was a five-time indoor All-American. He has PRs at Colorado that include 7:51.93 in the indoor 3k; 13:43.37 in the indoor 5k; 1:52.89 in the outdoor 800m; 3:42.31 in the outdoor 1,500m; 4:13.90 in the indoor mile; and 13:36.22 in the outdoor 5k. Morgan got his start in elite triathlon when he began training at a few development camps with USA Triathlon. He debuted as an elite in 2018, and then won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Triathlon Championships in Yokohama. Morgan really became an all-time triathlete star when he anchored the silver-medal-winning U.S. Mixed Relay team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He won another silver as a member of the Mixed Relay team in Paris in the 2024 Olympic games. Most recently, Morgan kicked off 2025 with a scorching 1:01.01 half marathon in Houston, setting a new 13.1 mile PR by seven seconds. He continued to show off his versatility and strength as a triathlete when during a two-day span at the beginning of February, he ran a 4:11 indoor mile, followed by a 40-mile gravel bike race the next day–finishing in one hour and forty minutes. In today’s conversation, Morgan takes me through his famous twitter “rules,” signing with HOKA, how he views his future in sport, and so much more. Tap into the Morgan Pearson Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 20, 2025 · 43 min
From Humble Beginnings In East Africa To HOKA Pro Runner: The Inspirational Untold Story Of Ahmed Muhumed
Versatile distance runner and HOKA professional, Ahmed Muhumed, joins the show today to discuss his humble beginnings and his ambitions for the future. Ahmed was born and raised in Ethiopia, before coming to the U.S. with his family in 2011. He started running in middle school, and then became a cross country and track star at West Salem High School in Oregon. (Ahmed won back to back cross country titles in high school.) At Boise State, Ahmed was the Mountain West freshman of the year in cross country in 2017. He was also the 2020 champion in the indoor mile in the Mountain West conference. Ahmed then went on to grad school at Florida state, where he similarly thrived on the running scene. He finished 20th at the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships; he also competed at both the NCAA indoor and outdoor championships his final semester. Ahmed parlayed his college success into a professional contract, and in his rookie year as a professional for HOKA in 2022-23 he set PRs in the 3k, 5k and 10k. His list of PRs include a sizzling 13:08.73 in the 5k; 3:37.36 in the 1,500m; and 3:57.32 in the mile. Ahmed had a successful 2024 campaign, as he started it with a third place finish at the USATF Cross Country championships, and then closed it out in the fall of 2024 with a second national title–this time at the USATF 5k Championships in New York City. His impressive range was on display as he won the Philadelphia Half Marathon in late November with a time of 1:03.15. Ahmed earned a degree in International and Global Studies at Boise State before receiving his master’s degree in International Relations and Affairs from Florida State. In today’s conversation, Ahmed takes me through his humble beginnings, how he transitioned into the states and went from soccer player to runner, how his upbringing shaped him, how he has built up and maintained self-belief throughout the years, his ambitions as a professional runner, and much more. It’s hard not to listen to Ahmed and love the guy. I hope you all are inspired by this conversation. Tap into the Ahmed Muhumed Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 18, 2025 · 54 min
4xNCAA Champion & Former Pro-Runner Sara Slattery Shares Insights, Lessons, And Findings On How NCAA Champions, Olympians, National Champions, & Record Holders Made It To The Top & How YOU Can Too!
Coach, athlete, mom, author, Sara Slattery comes on the podcast today for the first time! Sara has a diverse and impressive resume, which began in high school when she ran for Mountain Pointe High in Arizona. Sara went to run at the University of Colorado, where she placed 8th at the 2000 NCAA Women’s Cross Country championships, becoming the first frosh to win All-American honors at Colorado. She was an 11-time All-American, four-time NCAA champion and was inducted in 2016 as a member of the Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame. She earned her Master’s degree in Education at this time. Sara began her 2006 season as a professional runner. It was that year she set PRs in the 5k with a time of 15:08 and the 10k with a time of 31:56. Sara was the Pan American Games Champion in 2007 after recovering from a stress fracture. She also came in fourth at the Olympic Trials in the 5k in 2008. Sara turned her focus to coaching when she became the head coach of the Grand Canyon University cross-country team from 2015-2022. She is one of a few women Division One coaches that has coached both genders. Sara has been busy since making coaching and parenting her priority: she is the Director of Nike Camp Elevate XC Camp in Prescott Arizona; in addition to co-directing the Women’s Running Retreat at Civana Resort in Carefree, Arizona with marathoner Sara Hall. Today, she is coaching middle school cross country and track. Outside of her running and coaching, Sara has co-authored the book, How She Did It, with Molly Huddle; she is now in the proposal phase for her second book on pregnancy and running, which she is writing with Molly Huddle and Alysia Montano. In today’s conversation, Sara takes me through her findings of studying 50-elite athletes and how they did it, the differences of coaching female athletes, her years in the NCAA and winning four titles, her life as a mom, camp director, coach, and more. Tap into the Sara Slattery Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wF -My Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 16, 2025 · 36 min
HE RAN 3:47 IN THE MILE AT 18YRS OLD: The Next Great Athlete Of Our Times | Inside The Journey, Progression, Mindset, & Training Of Cameron Myers & How He Plans To Be The Greatest To Ever Do It
THE CAM MYERS SPECIAL Fresh off breaking the world U20 indoor mile record, Cam Myers, joins the show today amidst the hype of an incredible start to his 2025 campaign. Cam, who hails from Australia, became the second-youngest runner in history to break the four-minute barrier in the mile in 2023. He kicked off 2025 by running a 3:53.12 at the Dr. Sander Invitational–taking almost two seconds off the world indoor U20 mile record that was set in 2009. He proceeded to show up to the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston and run a 7:33.12 in the 3,000m, setting an Australian national record. Cam continued to blow the doors off of U20 expectations and standards by running an astounding 3:47.48 mile at the iconic Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games on February 8, besting his previous mile record by five seconds while running the fourth-fastest indoor mile in history. In addition to his personal bests in the mile and 1500m indoors, he has an outdoor 800m PR of 1:47.11. Cam has notably broken Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s mile, 1500m, and 3,000m age-group records. With Olympic dreams clearly in his sights, Cam has already secured hardware during the World U20 Championships in 2024, where he won a silver medal in the 1500m in Peru, running a 3:40.60 and just nearly missing gold. Cam started training under coach Lee Bobbin as a 10-year-old, and then began training under well-known Australian coach Dick Telford, who has guided the likes of Lisa Martin–a silver medalist in the marathon at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Before committing to running full-time as a 14-year-old, Cam dreamed of playing soccer for Chelsea. He grew up playing striker and loving the sport, before running took over prominence in his life. In today’s conversation, Cam takes me through his monumental 3:47 mile, what led into this breakthrough performance, what he wants to accomplish in his career one day, his plans for 2025 and becoming the best, how he trains, and so much more. This conversation was such a treat. Cam is going place. Don’t miss hearing his story before you start to hear his name everywhere. Tap into the Cam Myers Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 14, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
The Man Who Coaches Champions: How To Have Sustainable Excellence As A High School Athlete With Niwot's Coach Kelly Christensen + Insights On How He Coached An NXN Winning Team & Individual
We are joined today by one of the best high school cross country coaches in the country, Kelly Christensen. Coach Christensen leads Niwot High School in Colorado. They recently won the High School Nike Cross Nationals boy’s race in December. The team put together one of the best finishes in NXN history, totaling just 70 points, and emerged as the first boy’s team to capture the title in Colorado high school history. Coach Christensen became a school counselor and coach at Niwot in Colorado in 2016, after transitioning from a career in construction management. Coach Christensen earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Western State College. During his time at Niwot, the Cross Country program has achieved five girl’s state championship titles and two boy’s state titles. The boys have crowned four individual state champions and one individual runner-up finish as well. Prior to coaching at Niwot, Christensen served as the head cross country and track coach at Palmer Ridge High School from 2014 - 2016 (achieving two boys’ track and field titles and a cross country title). In today’s conversation, Coach Kelly takes me through his coaching philosophies, his backstory into coaching, how he emphasizes the importance of balance, the story of how his boys won their first-ever NXN title, how he coaches disappointment, and so much more. This conversation was a true blessing and I hope you take the time to listen to it. I wish I had this podcast episode when I was a freshman in high school. Don’t waste the opportunity to learn from one of the best coaches in the sport. Tap into the Coach Kelly Christensen Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 12, 2025 · 43 min
Coach Mark Coogan Shares Insights From His Successful Coaching Career | Insights From Coaching Olympians, National Champions, & Elle St. Pierre and Parker Valby
Today on the podcast is one of the most successful coaches in our sport, Mark Coogan. Coach Coogan has had an illustrious career as both a runner, coach, and parent, and is currently leading the New Balance team–an elite distance running crew that began in 2014. (Notable stars on the team include Elle St. Pierre and Parker Valby). Coach Coogan's personal running journey started at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, Massachusetts. He then went on to run at the University of Maryland, where he specialized in the steeplechase. Coogan has the distinction of being the first Massachusetts native to run the mile in under four minutes. Coach Coogan played basketball in high school–he was even skilled enough to receive scholarship offers to play basketball from some lower-level schools. He has PRs of 3:58.81 in the mile, 8:21.45 in the 2 mile, 8:26.90 in the 3,000m steeplechase, 13:23.72 in the 5k, and 28:19.07 in the 10k. Coach Coogan's post-collegiate running career showcased incredible range (1988-2004): He ranked in the top 10 in the United States in the mile, steeplechase, 5k, 10k, and marathon during his career. He ran his marathon PR in the U.S. Olympic trials leading up to the 1996 games, where he ran a 2:13.05. (He ran 2:20.27 at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, placing 41st). He retired from competitive running in 2004, and turned his focus to coaching. Coogan has spent time as the distance coach at Dartmouth College, Tufts University, MIT, and Phillips Exeter Academy. Coach Coogan and his wife Gwyn (who ran the 10k at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics) have three children: daughter Katrina, who is a professional runner for New Balance Boston; Margaret, who runs for George Washington University; and son, William, who runs for UNC. Coach Coogan's book, Personal Best Running: Coach Coogan's Strategies for the Mile to the Marathon, was released in 2023. In today's conversation, Mark takes me through his years as a successful athlete and coach. We dive into insights from coaching Elle St. Pierre and Parker Valby and his philosophies around training. Tap into the Mark Coogan Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 10, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Exclusive Lessons & Insights From The 25+ Year Successful Career Of American Record Holder & Olympian Deena Kastor | How She Rose To The Top, How To Build Belief, Handle Negative Thoughts, & More!
THE DEENA KASTOR SPECIAL On the podcast today is the inimitable Deena Kastor–bronze medal legend and women's distance running record-holder. Deena was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, but went to high school in Agoura Hills, California. Deena has opened up about being adopted at birth and how that has impacted her life. Deena has one daughter. At Agoura High School in California, she won three state cross country titles and two state titles in the 3200m. She competed in the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships all four years. She has said in the past that Cross Country is her true passion. After high school, Deena took her talents to the University of Arkansas; as a Razorback, she was a four-time SEC champion and an eight-time All-American. Deena graduated with two degrees in English/Creative Writing and Journalism. Post collegiately, the ASICS-sponsored runner really took off when she went to Colorado to train with coach Joe Vigil. Most recently, she has been under the guidance of her husband, Andrew, since 2015. Andrew runs the Mammoth Track Club. Deena's resume is monumental and includes the following times: 4:07.82 in the 1500m, 8:42.59 in the 3,000m, 14:51.62 in the 5k, 30:50.32 in the 10k, and 2:19.36 in the marathon. Deena's race achievements could fill a book, but notable highlights include winning the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials;winning the 2007 USA Outdoor 10k race; and winning the 2005 Chicago Marathon and the 2006 London Marathon. Deena's talent stretches beyond land locomotion, as she wrote a New York Times Best seller and 2019 Memoir of the Year, Let Your Mind Run. Tap into the Deena Kastor special. In today's conversation, Deena walks me through lessons from her successful years at every level in the sport of running. We walk through what it took to accomplish the things she did, how to build belief and confidence, how to handle negative thoughts, what Deena wants her legacy to be, and so much more. This was one of my favorite conversations I've ever had. Don't miss it! Tap into the Deena Kastor Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 8, 2025 · 1 hr
How D2 Running Star Brock Kelly's Focus On Intention Shaped His Running & Life & How You Can Take Your Running To The Next Level In 2025 With The Same Tools
Brock is back baby. Digital creator and collegiate distance runner Brock Kelly returns to the podcast for round three today to discuss all things running and life. Brock is a senior at Mississippi College, has a popular YouTube page, and is a budding entrepreneur. Through three-plus seasons he has compiled the following PRs: 1:55.03 in the 800m; 3:51.00 in the 1500m; 4:11.19 in the mile; 14:49.20 in the 5k; and 32:00.55 in the 10k. In high school, Brock was a state champion in the 3,200m; two-time state champ in the 1,600m; three-time state champ in the 800m; and Cross Country state champion in 2018 and 2019. Brock is best known for his YouTube channel (which currently boasts 19,700 subscribers) where he documents his NCAA journey; his “The Daily Mile” series is particularly popular. In addition to his video content, Brock created the OE Athletics Club during his junior year. The brand’s motto, “Intentions Over Everything,” focuses on intentionality in athletics and how it can help build strong morals that lead to success. Brock kicked off the 2025 indoor season at the Samford Indoor Open (in Birmingham, Alabama) on January 18 with a second-place finish in the mile with a time of 4:13.41. Prior to that he had two first-place finishes at the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker on December 6, 2024: one as an individual with a 4:17.39 mile; and the other as a member of the Distance Medley Relay team, which ran a 10:35.26. In today’s conversation, Brock and I discuss the third season of The Daily Mile, his creative process and inspiration these days, an in-depth look at his training, what he wants his legacy to be, and much more. I love Brock’s energy and our conversations are always insightful and a blessing! Don’t miss this one. Tap into the Brock Kelly Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S Check out the Garmin Forerunner Line Using Our Link: https://bit.ly/4gsEFJH Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en
Feb 6, 2025 · 26 min
Wilma Nielsen Shares Insights From Her 4:25 Mile, Plans To Break The Collegiate Record, Being Coached By Shalane Flanagan, & How You Can Make Your Dreams Come True In Sport
Wilma Nielsen, the Swedish mid-distance phenom from Oregon, joins the show today to discuss her recent breakthroughs in running. Wilma is fresh off breaking the school record in the mile in January at the Dr. Sander Scorcher indoor meet at the Armory in New York. This six-second PR places her number three all time in the NCAA for the indoor mile and number two on Sweden’s all-time indoor list. Wilma is a two-time All-American and three-time Swedish National Champion. She won the bronze medal at the European U23 Championships in Estonia where she ran a 2:02.29 in the 800m. Wilma has run collegiately for Bradley University, the University of Washington and now Oregon. Wilma was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. She has a twin sister, Julia–who was a package deal with her at Bradley–as well as older siblings Simon and Elisabeth, the latter of who was a Swedish National Championship finalist in the 800m in 2019 and 2020. Needless to say, running was a fixture in the Nielsen household. Wilma was running fast even in her high school days, logging PRs of 58.19 in the 400m, 2:10.01 in the 800m and 4:31.59 in the 1,500m. Since she started running collegiately, she has lowered those to 57.50 in the 400m, 2:02.26 in the 800m, 4:07.38 in the 1500m and the aforementioned 4:25.89 mile. In today’s conversation, Wilma dives into her recent 4:25 Mile, her plans to do bigger and better things at the Millrose games, her hopes for her future, how she’s grown as an athlete while at Oregon, what it’s like to have Shalane Flanagan as a coach, and so much more. Take the time to learn from and get insights from one of the biggest stars in the NCAA right now! Tap into the Wilma Nielsen Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 4, 2025 · 44 min
The Climb To The Top: Inside The Journey Of Tinoda Matsatsa & His 2:16 1k NCAA Record, 3:54 Mile, & Stories From HS Where He Became The First Prep African-American To Break The 4min Mile Barrier
Mid-distance track sensation, Tinoda Matsatsa, joins the show today amidst an impressive sophomore campaign at Georgetown. Tinoda, who hails from Boyds, Maryland, is off to an electric start to his collegiate running career, and seems poised to continue to chase records and wins no matter where he goes. So far in his young college career he has run the following PRs: 48.88 in the 400m; 1:45.17 in the 800m; 2:16.84 in the 1,000m; and 3:54.15 in the mile. If you’re staring at those numbers–mouth agape–you’re not alone. In January of 2024, Tinoda set a new NCAA record for the indoor 1,000m run with a time of 2:18.05. Almost exactly a year later, he lowered that time–running a 2:16.84 this past January 18 at the Nittany Lion Challenge. Tinoda has had a great start to his sophomore year, running his aforementioned mile PR at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, coming in second. Tinoda’s parents moved to the United States several years before he was born. He went to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland. While at prep school, the 5-foot-9 senior became just the 20th runner in prep school history to break 4 minutes in the mile. He capped his senior season with a state record in the mile; followed by a win the 800m run at the Brooks PR invitational; and then ended his season winning the national title with a state-record 1:47.61 in the 800m. Prior to becoming a running star, Tinoda loved soccer. He was a striker on his team and excelled at the sport. He even hid from his middle school track coach because soccer was his priority. His mother eventually convinced him to do track to stay in shape, and the rest is history. We’re thrilled for you to hear this and more from our conversation with another star-in-the-making, who will surely be making noise in the coming months and years on the collegiate and professional track and field circuit. In today’s conversation, Tinoda takes me through stories from how he got into the sport of running, how he progressed in high school, his training leading into his sub-4min mile in HS, his time at Georgetown thus far, his dreams for LA 2028, and so much more. Tap into the Tinoda Matsatsa Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Feb 1, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Lessons On Excellence & Human Flourishing Within Running & Life From Accomplished Coach, Athlete, And NYC Times Best Selling Author Steve Magness
Today's conversation on the podcast is one that I've been wanting to have for many years now. I have the privilege of sitting down with and learning from Steve Magness. I was first impacted by Steve's work in 7th grade and have been a loyal follower ever since, consistently being impacted by his work. Steve is an acclaimed author, performance coach, and former collegiate track and cross-country coach who has written four books, The Science of Running, Peak Performance, Do Hard Things, and his newest release coming this February, Win the Inside Game. All told, his books have sold over three-quarters of a million copies, been named national and international best sellers, and have been translated into 25 languages. Steve’s academic career exploring exercise physiology and then mental performance has shaped his all-encompassing outlook on performance. Steve’s writing has appeared in Outside, Runner’s World, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Health, in addition to many others. Steve received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and a graduate degree from George Mason. Steve has a PR of 4:01 in the mile in High School, which at the time was the seventh fastest high school mile in US history. He was also a part of the fastest HS Distance Medley Relay team in 2003. Steve ran for Rice and Houston during his collegiate career, nearly making nationals as a senior at Houston. Steve was the head track coach at the University of Houston from 2014-2020 after working for Nike as a coach and adviser to their professional runners. (He worked with gold and silver medalists from the 2011 World Champs and the 2012 Olympic Games in London.) Prior to coaching in college and professionally, Magness worked at Klein Oak HS. He currently lives in Houston, Texas. Steve has a terrific newsletter on health, well-being and performance. He is also a great follow on Twitter and Instagram. In today's conversation, we dive into Steve's background in sport, his coaching and writing, insights on excellence both in and out of sport, his newest book, and so much more. This conversation was truly stellar and I hope you'll make the time to be blessed by it. Tap into the Steve Magness Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Jan 30, 2025 · 57 min
5xAll-American Cole Sprout Shares Honest Reflections On Setbacks, His Legacy At Stanford, How To Overcome Negative Thoughts, & His Professional Running Plans...
Cole Sprout returns to the podcast to breakdown his final seasons at Stanford. The long-time Cardinal, originally from Littleton, Colorado, most recently competed at the Washington-Dempsey Indoor meet on January 17 and 18 (where he came in ninth in the mile with a time of 3:57.64 and second in the 3k with a time of 7:45.24). He also threw down at the very competitive Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on December 7, 2024, where he came in 21st in the 5k with a time of 13:30.17. Cole's run at Stanford was very successful, with impressive PRs to show: he ran 1:51.79 in the 800m; 3:56.53 in the mile; 3:42.27 in the 1500m; 13:24.38 in the 5k; and 27:42.42 in the 10k. Before moving out west to compete at Stanford, Cole won the Colorado state cross country title in 2019, breaking his own meet record with a time of 15:12.7. He also came in seventh at the 2019 Nike Cross Nationals, after placing third in 2018. Cole won six Gatorade State Athlete of the Year honors – three in track and three in cross country. Cole graduated with a bachelor's from Stanford in Symbolic Systems. Showing how well-rounded a person he is, Cole has volunteered in the past with the Denver Rescue Mission–an organization that helps the homeless and those suffering through addiction with emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs, and community outreach. Additionally, Cole has gone on a mission trip to Ethiopia. Cole always offers great insight and wisdom, and we're excited for you to hear this latest offering from one of the sport's most insightful athletes. In today's conversation, Cole gives in-depth insights into his last six months of running, how he's going into his final two seasons at Stanford, how he views his legacy there, his plans post-college, how to overcome negative thoughts, and so much more. I love Cole and our conversations, and this was a good one. We cover a ton of topics that are relevant to your life & running journey. Tap into the Cole Sprout Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Jan 28, 2025 · 40 min
Inside The Mind Of HS National Record Holder Sadie Engelhardt: Insights From Her 4:28 Mile, Making The US Olympic Trials As Just A Junior In HS, Her Plans To Break The 1500m Record, & More
Sadie Engelhardt returns to the podcast today. Back on the podcast is the 18-year-old American track and field mega-star from Ventura, California. Sadie is a senior at Ventura High School, where she has had a storied career and is considered one of the best high school runners ever. The NC State commit (and only the third girls competitor from California to be named Gatorade Best Player of the Year) has excelled in both cross country and track and field. Most recently, she came in 11th at the Girls XC Nationals on December 7. She has also maintained a 4.59 GPA in the classroom. Sadie has even found time to volunteer locally on behalf of Runners For Public Lands, helping to clean trails and other places to run around Ventura County. With all that said, it's the oval where she truly separates herself from the rest. Her PRs include times of 2:03.46 in the 800m, 4:08.86 in the 1500m, 4:28.46 in the mile, and 9:50.69 in the 3200m. The aforementioned mile time was a national high school record in the outdoor mile. Sadie has had three consecutive 1,600m state titles, and she helped her school win a state championship in the 4x800 relay. In 2024, Sadie ran in her first professional outdoor meet at The TEN, where she stunned the world by running a 4:09.7 in the 1500m. She then zeroed in on three professional meets to try and make the Olympic qualifying standard, and at the Portland Track Festival on June 9 she pulled off a 4:08.86 in the 1500m, earning her spot at the qualifier–becoming the third high school athlete to ever qualify for the 1500m in the Olympics. While Sadie only competed in the preliminary round, it was a valuable experience for this rising phenom to keep in her arsenal. In today's conversation, Sadie shares reflections from her XC season, her hopes and dreams for the 2025 track season, insights from her training, how she plans to go out with a bang in HS, and so much more. Sadie is truly doing unprecedented things in the sport, and it's always a privilege to sit down with her and have a meaningful conversation with her. Tap into the Sadie Engelhardt special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Jan 26, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Inside The Most Dominate NCAA XC Program In Modern History With Coach Jarred Cornfield + Insights & Stories From The Next Director & How He Plans On Carrying On The Torch Of Mike Smith
Today, the next director and head coach of the Northern Arizona University Cross Country program, Coach Jarred Cornfield, returns to the podcast. With legendary Coach Mike Smith stepping down, Coach Cornfield takes over one of the most storied programs in the country. This was announced this past fall. It's an exciting time for Jarred and the program, but he wasn't just handed this job; he earned it with years of hard work. Coach Cornfield has spent nine years with NAU, six of which were as the Assistant Coach—after starting as a Graduate Assistant in 2015. Coach Cornfield is a distance and mid-distance specialist and a terrific recruiter. The Lumberjacks have won an impressive six men's national championships since 2016. On a personal level, Coach Cornfield attended Liberty University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Sport Management and then his Master's degree in Educational Leadership. He also competed as a member of the cross country and track teams. As a college runner, Jared has PRs of 1:54.47 in the 800m, 3:55.45 in the 1500m, 4:15.33 in the Mile, 29:42 in the 5K in XC, and 32:03 in the 10K in XC. While working closely with coaching legend Coach Mike Smith, Coach Cornfield has also branched out on his own, having coached Olympic athletes like Elise Cranny this past summer in Paris for the 5,000m. The NAU program is in the best of hands, and we're excited for you to hear this discussion with one of the up-and-coming coaching stars in the NCAA. In this conversation, I tackle Coach Cornfield's brain on many different coaching subject matters, and then we dive into his news, how this role came about, the lessons he's learned from Coach Smith, his ambitions and vision for the program, and so much more. Tap into the Coach Jarred Cornfield Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Jan 24, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
The Raw Realities Of Being An Unsigned Pro-Runner: Sam Parsons Shares In-Depth Insights On Pro-Contracts, How Companies Take Advantage Of Athletes, The Future Of Tinman Elite, & So Much More
Back on the podcast is my good friend, Sam Parsoni. And today, here's here to spill the tea. He's not holding back. You the listener will be blessed being a fly on the wall for a conversation that is normally reserved for private-conversations. Sam is a free-agent and goes IN-DEPTH on the realities of the sport, the ins and outs of contracts, how companies take advantage of athletes, his hope for the future, all the updates on Tinman Elite, and more. If you don't know who Sam Parsons, you've probably been sleeping under a rock. Or you just didn't recognize that name because I exclusively call him Sam Parsoni. But to bring you up to speed, he's represented Germany at the 2019, 2022, and 2023 World Athletics Championships. Sam had a terrific high school career, running 1:58 in the 800, 4:12 in the Mile, 9:00 in the 3200, and 14:47 in the 5K. He qualified for Nike XC Nationals as a senior. At NC State, Sam ran 3:44 in the 1500, 13:52 in the 5K, and 28:43 in the 10K. He was a 4-time participant at the NCAA XC Championships, finishing as high as 51st at the 2016 Division 1 XC Champs with a time of 30:33. Sam signed his first pro deal in 2018 with Adidas. Sam currently holds PRs of 3:36.22 in the 1500m, 3:54 in the Mile, 7:39 in the 3k, 13:12 in the 5k, and 28:43 in the 10k. In today's conversation, we cover all of Sam's updates, how much I need to pay him to rock a singlet of my choosing, the ins and outs of pro-contracts, and so much more. This one is packed with info and discussion that you won't find anywhere else. Do not miss it! Tap into the Sam Parsons Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Tap into the Sam Parsons Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠